Martha Joan Clark

Martha Joan Clark was born on December 3, 1944. Her parents were Dr. Robert M Clark and Emma B Clark, and she is survived by two siblings: an older brother, Robert M. Clark, Jr., (wife-Arlene) and a younger sister, Barbara Clark Abel, (husband- Walter). Nephews and nieces include Evelyn Clark Orick (Husband- John); Robert Patrick Clark (wife-Sharon); Walter's son and daughter, John Abel and Becky Abel Lambi, (husband-Nate).

Martha graduated from Kokomo H.S. in Kokomo, Indiana in 1962, then went on to Indiana University for a year before transferring to Florida College in Temple Terrace, FL., to complete her A.A. Degree. She then completed her bachelor's degree in elementary education at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Following graduation, she helped her father with secretarial work in his administrative position for the Florida Meat Inspection Service in addition to beginning her teaching career at Progress Village. Later, she transferred to Gibsonton Elementary School where she stayed for the remainder of her teaching career.

The theme of her life was one of service, loving and teaching others. Long after she retired from public school teaching, she served many people by simply being a wonderful listener, one of the traits of a great teacher motivated by a strong Christian faith--a spiritual gift that strangers could sense and relate to. As her mother's health began to fail, Martha served as caretaker for her mother for years, before being disabled herself by Cushings disease.

Martha loved to read and to do arts and craft projects. She was always interested in nature and had a collection of bird feeders and bird baths just outside the living room window where she could watch all kinds of song birds and even a hawk up close. However, on of her first loves was music. She took voice lessons in order to train her beautiful alto voice, and she sang in church choirs as long as she was able. Her sister, Barbara, says that Martha often sang hymns while alone in her room at home. At one point, her study of the use of hymnology in the worship service led to her being invited to present a lecture for a ministerial association.

Even as her health deteriorated, Martha never gave up on life. She became interested in adult coloring books and did some beautiful work that will become part of her legacy. During her stay in the Palm Garden Rehabilitation Center, when she could no longer use her hands, she became a connoisseur of classic TV programs and could analyze and discuss them with wit and insight. And even then, when Covid 19 prevented visitation except by phone, her wonderful sense of humor enabled her to laugh in spite of her pain.

Martha will be sorely missed, but she will remain forever in the memories of all whose lives she touched---students, family, friends, and fellow believers.